Spring-cleat for boats and the like.



PATENTED MAY-7, 1907.

VNo'. 852,946,

R. PRoMHoLT'z. SPRING GLBAT PoR BOATS 'AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1906.

ROLF FROMHOLTZ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA SPRING-CLEAT FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1907.

, Application filed June 4,1906. Serial No. 319,987.

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLF FROMHOLTZ, a subject of the King of Norway, residing at Philadel hia,` county of Philadelphia, and State of ennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Spring- Cleats for Boats and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in spring cleats for boats and the like, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this description to which a cable tow line or towing rope may be attached and which willact as a takeup to prevent the sudden shocks and jars which are now occasioned when cables or lines are attached to the cleat and the boat is suddenly brought up.

l/Vith these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention a pertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by letter to the .accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which;

Figure l is a side elevation of my imroved cleat. Fig. 2, a lan view thereof. ig. 3, a section at the line -m of Fig. l. Fig. 4, a section at the line y-g/ of the cleat block. k

In carrying out my invention as here embodied, I provide a box or housing A having the overhanging flanges B, and in this housing is fitted to slide the cleat block C, the

- latter having formed therewith and projecting upward therefrom the cleat posts D. 'hese posts may be of any desired shape or esign.

E re resents a rod which runs lengthwise of the ox and is secured in the ends thereof by means of the screws F and G, the object of this arrangement being that the rod may be readily removed when occasion requires by removing the screws F- and G and forcing the rod outward through the hole in which the screw G is threaded.

A spring H is coiled around the rod E and interposed between the cleat block and one end of the box so that when an extra pull or draftis put upon the cleat block the latter Will be drawn against the spring compressing same, and in the same, thus relieving the cable or line of undue shock or strains.

I is a spring somewhat lighter than the spring I-I, and is also coiled around the rod E at the opposite end of the block and acts as a buffer so that when the undue strain is removed from the cleat block this spring I will prevent said block from striking the back end of the box, and this will revent the hammering noise which would ot erwise be produced. The block is countersunk as indicated aty J to receive the ends of the springs H and I, and the spring I has its ends held in place by the screws J 2.

J are outwardly extending flanges formed with the box through which suitable screw holes K are formed, in order that the device may be bolted to the deck of a boat or other object to which it is desired to attach the ractice the box or housing is let into the eck and the flanges J either secured directly on top of the boat or let in flush therewith.

In the use of cleats as now constructed, it often happens that a cable or line being suddenly brought up with great force tears the cleat from its fastenings besides transmitting to the boat enormous shocks and strains, but by the use of my improvement this is entirely overcome, for should the cable or line be suddenly brought up the cleat block will be drawn upward against the action of the spring H thus absorbing these undue shocks l and relieving the cleat fastenings of strains that would be likely to break loose its fastenings.

Another decided advantage of my improvement over the old form of cleat is that when it is used for towing purposes the tow line will be kept under a given tension, the cleat block giving and taking so that the tow will have a quicker draft at all times, and this will greatly assist in proper towing and also relieve the tug from the jerking motion.

Any water that may gain access to the interior of the box will be drained off through the hole I.

- Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction here shown, as these may be varied within certain limits without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,

lwhat I claim as new and useful is l. In combination, a housing, inturned IIOO overhanging iianges formed upon said housing, a T shaped block adapted to slide within the housing and held in place by said flanges, a rod running lengthwise of said housing and passing through said block, a spring H coiled around the rod and interposed between one end of the housing and block, a spring I also coiled around the rod and interposed between the opposite end of said .housing and block, cleat posts formed with the block and outturned overhanging iianges having holes therethrough for the passage of screws to secure the device in place, as specified.

2. In combination, a housing, inwardly projecting yflanges formed with said housing, a T shaped block adapted to slide within the housing and held in place by said HangeS, a rod running lengthwise of the housing and passing through said block, the ends of said rod passing into the ends of the housing, 1

screws F and G so arranged as to hold the rod against displacement, a spring II` coiled around the rod between one end of the housing and the block, a spring I of less tension .fliXedvmy signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses:

ROLF FROMI-IOLTZ.

I/Vitnesses: f

MORTIMER A. JONES, ALFRED GRIER. 

